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POLITICIANS (UPDATED) Mar-3-2006 (900 words) xxxn
Democrats' statement said to arise from politicians' frustration
By Nancy Frazier O'Brien
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A new "statement of principles" signed by a majority of the Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives arose from the politicians' frustration at "the way the church used the holy Eucharist as a political weapon against some elected officials" during the 2004 elections, according to one of the signers.
The statement said the Catholic House members see their faith as a primary motivator for their political actions but are sometimes required by conscience or because of the religious diversity of the U.S. to disagree with the church "in some areas."
Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., told Catholic News Service in a March 1 telephone interview that the statement was the product of "many, many meetings" among the House Democrats themselves and with others, including Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington, who heads the U.S. bishops' Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Politicians.
"We felt that we allowed a small minority to drive this issue," Stupak said. "We weren't speaking out."
Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for Cardinal McCarrick, said March 2 that he had not read the document but when asked about it said, "There are things we agree on and things we disagree on, but it is always good to keep talking."
The Feb. 28 statement was signed by 55 of the 73 Catholic Democrats in the House. Some, like Stupak, are strongly pro-life while others support keeping abortion legal.
During the 2004 presidential campaign, some bishops said Catholic politicians who vote in favor of abortion should be refused Communion. In a June 2004 statement drawn up by Cardinal McCarrick's task force, the bishops declared that politicians who act "consistently to support abortion on demand" risk "cooperating in evil and sinning against the common good."
They said all Catholics are required to examine their conscience on their worthiness to receive Communion, but added that a canonical decision to deny Communion to anyone rests with each bishop in his own diocese because of "the wide range of circumstances involved in arriving at a prudential judgment" in each case.
The Democrats' statement does not refer directly to the Communion issue, but said the signers "believe we can speak to the fundamental issues that unite us as Catholics and lend our voices to changing the political debate -- a debate that often fails to reflect and encompass the depth and complexity of these issues."
Affirming Catholic teaching on "the value of human life and the undesirability of abortion," the politicians pledged to support alternatives to abortion, such as adoption, improved access to children's health care and child care, and "policies that encourage paternal and maternal responsibility."
"In all these issues, we seek the church's guidance and assistance but believe also in the primacy of conscience," the statement said. "In recognizing the church's role in providing moral leadership, we acknowledge and accept the tension that comes with being in disagreement with the church in some areas."
The politicians said they were "committed to making real the basic principles that are at the heart of Catholic social teaching: helping the poor and disadvantaged, protecting the most vulnerable among us, and ensuring that all Americans of every faith are given meaningful opportunities to share in the blessings of this great country."
"That commitment is fulfilled in different ways by legislators but includes: reducing the rising rates of poverty; increasing access to education for all; pressing for increased access to health care; and taking seriously the decision to go to war," they said. "Each of these issues challenges our obligations as Catholics to community and helping those in need."
The Democrats also said they were obligated to preserve the U.S. Constitution, "which guarantees religious freedom for all Americans."
"In doing so, we guarantee our right to live our own lives as Catholics, but also foster an America with a rich diversity of faiths," they said. "We believe the separation of church and state allows for our faith to inform our public duties."
There are 131 Catholics -- 58 Republicans and 73 Democrats -- in the House, and 24 -- 11 Republicans and 13 Democrats -- in the Senate.
The statement of principles was organized by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., who told CNS March 3 she and other Catholic Democrats "take great pride in our religion" but were concerned that the church was "moving in the direction of becoming a one-issue church."
"That's never been its historical heritage," she said, adding that she feared Catholicism was being co-opted for "a narrow, right-wing agenda."
DeLauro said that although she's been a House member for 16 years "that's not what motivates me. It's my 63 years as a Catholic that defines who I am and motivates what I do." She pledged to continue working to put into action "the basic principles of Catholic social teachings."
Stupak said that although the House group has met with some Democratic Catholic senators, including Sens. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts and Dick Durbin of Illinois, during the past two years, the statement was signed only by House members, primarily because of logistics.
"We're on a different schedule, even though we're in the same building," he said of the Senate.
Stupak and DeLauro said the Catholic Democrats in the House would continue their dialogue on church-related issues. "We need their (church leaders') help on certain issues, and we should be working more in concert," Stupak said.
END
Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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